* This article was written based on an interview conducted with the park ranger in September, 2022.

For park ranger Atsushi Ichikawa, his grandfather's rice farm sparked his interest in nature and the environment. As a young adult he studied environmental sociology, and pursued hobbies such as mountain climbing. When it came time to choose a career, Ichikawa knew he wanted to work in nature. 

“I was contemplating what I wanted to do after college, when a friend recommended becoming a park ranger. After learning about the job, I knew it was the path for me. Rangers are able to experience the diverse nature in national parks and interact with the communities that live within them.” 

It is Ichikawa’s second year working in Yakushima National Park, and the mountainous, densely forested island has already made a big impression on him. “I wasn’t expecting to be assigned to Yakushima,” he says, “but my time here has been wonderful. From mountains, to rivers, to sandy beaches, the nature on this tiny island is so diverse, and there is still so much to discover.”

Saving sea turtles

Yakushima Island, within the boundaries of Yakushima (Island) National Park, is located off the coast of Kyushu—the southernmost of Japan’s four major islands. Nagatahama Beach lies on its western coast, and is the largest nesting ground for the Loggerhead sea turtle—an endangered species, within the north Pacific region. These turtles journey to Nagatahama’s shores to lay their eggs between May and August. National park officials and rangers such as Ichikawa work alongside the local people to protect the turtles and other species on the island, as well as their habitat.

“We monitor the turtles, and put up protective fences with the local community. Our goal is to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for the turtles to lay their eggs.”

Ichikawa hopes to further promote sea turtle conservation by holding information sessions about sea turtles and spreading awareness of beach rules such as not visiting at night during egg-laying season.

Honoring the land

Yakushima is home to towering, ancient Japanese cedar trees, moss-covered boulders, and verdant dwarf bamboo. The Okudake mountain range is located in the center of the island, with peaks that soar close to 2,000 meters.

The people of Yakushima have a tradition of making pilgrimages to Okudake’s mountains to pay tribute to the mountain deities. There are small stone shrines atop some of the mountains—where people pray and make offerings for large catches of fish and abundant harvests. Ichikawa shares how the people of Yakushima honor the bountiful island of Yakushima through traditional rituals.

”Takemairi is a traditional ritual of mountain pilgrimages, and each village has its own practice. Some villages first cleanse themselves in the sea, then collect rice, sake, and sand to offer at shrines in the Okudake mountains."

Explore Kuchinoerabujima

One of Ichikawa’s favorite areas of the park is Kuchinoerabujima, a volcanic island located 12 kilometers northwest of Yakushima Island. The island is a one-hour and forty-minute ferry ride from Yakushima, and is surrounded by crystal clear waters that are warmed by the Kuroshio Current. Kuchinoerabujima is home to diverse wildlife including sea turtles, tropical fish, and endangered species such as the Erabu flying fox. 

“The people on the island are incredibly warm and welcoming,” says Ichikawa. “Guides are available to give visitors a taste of local life, and there are several rustic hot springs to enjoy such as Yumugi Onsen and Nemachi Onsen.” 

Many visitors focus their time on the island of Yakushima, and miss out on the natural beauty and laid-back lifestyle of Kuchinoerabujima. Ichikawa is passionate about the tiny island, adding, “I really love this island, and I hope more people visit to experience its beauty.”

As for the future of the park, Ichikawa believes that Yakushima (Island) National Park is an ideal area for growing international interest in sustainability and ecotourism. “I hope ecotourism will further develop within Yakushima (Island) National Park, and that the people who visit fall in love with Japan’s beautiful southern islands.”